Rotary explosive-engine.



M. c. WHiTMORE.

ROTARY EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV 22. 1915.

Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHE'ET I.

M. c. WHITMORE.

ROTARY EXPLOSIV E ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOY.22. I915.

Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

ammo;

M. C. WHITMOHE.

ROTARY EXPLOSIVE ENGINE. APPLICATION HLED NOV. 22. 19I5.

1,279,195., I Patented Se t. 17,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

MAX 0. WHITMOBE, or DAYTON, 01110.

ROTARY EXPLOSIVE-ENGINE Specification of Letters Patent: Patented Sept-1'7, 1918.

Application filed November 22, 1915. Serial No. 62,687.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, Mex C. VVHITMORE, a citizen of the United States," residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Explosive-Engines,'of which the following is a specification. l

This inventionrelates to new and useful improvements in rotary explosive engines.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a rotary explosive engine of perfect balance, for accomplishing in a more facile and economic manner, the work which the reciprocating type of explosive motor now performs. Furthermore, the peculiar construction and arrangement of my improved engine equips-it for many uses, such as aeroplane propulsion, for which the present type of explosive motor is not efficiently adapted.

Among the many advantages of my explosive turbine are simplicity. and efiiciency of construction and operation, economy of space, and the absence of valves, gears and other parts Which are so often the source of trouble, noise and loss of power in reciprocating motors.

Other important and incidental objects will be brought out in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the subjoined claims.

The preferred form of embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1is an elevational view, in section, of my improved rotary explosive engine. Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof taken on the line aaa of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the cylinder head through which the spent gases are exhausted.

plosive mixture is admitted to the cylinder. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line bb of Fig. 2, showing one of the packing'pieces in its normal position. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of one of said packing pieces in its extended position on its respective blade. And Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 00 of Fig. 1, showing the gas reinforcing chamber provided in the cylinder shell.

Throughout the specification and drawings similar reference characters refer to corresponding parts.

In a detailed description of the preferred form of embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a cylindrical shell pref- Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the cylinder head through which the ex-' cylinder head 5, are adapted to receive bolts 6 passed through thelugs 3 to firmly secure said cylinder head to the open side of the a shell 1. (See Figs. 2, 3 and 4). Two oppositely disposed-feet 77 formed on the shell 1, are adapted for connection by the bolts 6, to corresponding feet 8-8 formed on the cylinder head 5, to provide means for firmly securing the cylinder to a standard or other suitable support.

The cylinder heads 2 and 5 have their cen tral portions turned outwardly to provide bearings 9 and 10 respectively, preferably of the ball type as shown in Fig. 2, for a rotary shaft 11. K

The bore of the shell 1 is such as to provide a smooth inner surface 12 which is approximately elliptical in cross section and Whose minor axis is represented by the line aw-(Z. For rotation within this bore there is secured to the shaft 11, by means of a key 13, the core 14; of a rotary piston 15. This piston is circular in cross section, and of a diameter which permits its periphery to slidingly engage the inner surface 12 of the shell 1 at its narrowest points, whichare at the intersection of that surface with the minor core 14 and an annular partition 16, a cavity 17 which extends well into, but not through,

said piston from the side thereof which adjoins the cylinder head 5. Between the partition 16 and the outer rim 18 of said piston, an annular cavity 19 is also formed for a purpose to be likewise explained. This cavity extends farther than the cavity 17, into the piston 15, but not entirely through the latter.

The piston 15 has one open side, which is adapted to be closed by a circular plate 20. As will be observed from Fig. 2, this plate isfirmly held against the piston by screws 21 which, after being passed through the partition 16, receive nuts 22 that are preferably pinned thereto in recesses 23 provided in the piston side.

Formed in the rim portion 18 of the piston 15 is a series of radial channels or grooves that receive blades or wings 21 to be hereinafter described. Each of these grooves extends from the periphery of the piston to the annular cavity 19, and between a narrow wall of said piston audtheplate 20. ()pposite each of these grooves are three smaller ones provided in the annular partition 16,

all times. a

When the piston 15 rotates, it is, as before stated, only in engagement with the inner surface 12 of the shell 1 at two places, namely. the intersecting points of said surface with the minor axis of the shell. On the other hand. the springs 29 are tensioned to maintain the blades 21 in sliding contact with the inner surface of the shell at all times. The tension of said springs, how ever, is just enough to cause the blades to graze the surface 12 at the widest points of the shell, centrifugal force supplying any additional drawing power that may be necessary to extend the blades to said surface at all times. For the purpose of lessening friction. it is important that the blades be not too' tightly pressed against the surface of the shell; hence the springs are tensioned as above explained.

As will be observed from Figs. 1 and 2, there is formed on one side of the minor axis r/a(Z, between the inner surface of the shell 1 and the outer periphery of the piston 15. a gas passage 30; and on the other sideof said axis, a similar passage 31. Each passage is widest on the line of the major axis e-e, becoming narrower on each side thereof as the minor axis aa(Z is approached.

The passages 30 and 31 are sealed by the cylinder heads 2 and 5 except at the places now to be described. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be observed that a tube 32 leads from a carbureter supporting plate 33 to an intake chamber 3t secured to the cylinder head 5. Through an opening 35 therein, represented by dotted lines in Fig. 4, an explosive mixture may enter the passage 30 just beyond the point of intersection of the lower part of the minor axis (tad with the inner surface of the shell 1.

Prefe ably formed in the rotary piston 15, at equal distances apart, are four peripheral pockets 36, 37, 38 and 39, semi-circular in cross section. Of the blades 24 there are eight, spaced an equal distance apart, and between each two there is one of the said pockets.

ber 41 hereinbefore described.

Each time a pocket passes the gas inlet Provided in an enlarged portion 4O of the cylindrical shell 1, in communication. w1t-h.the passage 30 and a littlev to one side of the minor axis a.a-d, is a gas receiving chamber all, preferablv semi-circular in cross section. After a gas p ocket, for instance the pocket 38 in Fig. 1, has passed the chamber =11. the latter is in full communication with thepassage 30. It therefore results that the compressed gas between the blades which follow, having no other means of escape from the narrowing passage walls, will enter and be compressed within this chamber 41. lVhen the blade immediately ahead of the next gas pocket, which in the present instance in the pocket 37, clears said chan'iber, the greater part of the compressed charge in the latter will be added to that in the pocket, to approximately double-it.

Provided on the enlarged portion 40 of the shell 1, and communicating with the passage 31 a short distance beyond the top, part of the minor axis a-a-rl, is a spark plug,

42. The plug is so timed as to ignite the compressed mixture immediately a gas pocket is centrally beneath it, whereupon the resulting explosion will exert its force against the blade in front, to rotate the piston 1:"). The explosion of the compressed gas every time a pocket passes the spark plug 42, insures a uniform continuous movement to the piston. As the number of these pockets is four, the engine is capable of great driving power, especially in view of the fact that each compressed charge is practically doubled by the receiving cham- For the latter purpose two blades are disposed between each pair of adjoining pockets, to collect and compress the reinforcing charge for the pocket behind. Furthermore, the sweep of the blade which receives the force of the explosion, from the spark plug 42 to the opposite end of the passage 31, is of such length, and the leverage so great, as to materially aid in the development of power in the motor.

The. burnt gases resulting from each explosion, are swept by the blade behind, into an outlet port 43 leading through the cylinder head 2 into an outlet pipe 44. (See Fig.

For the purpose of preventing leakage of the explosive mixture past the sides of the blades 24, packing pieces 45 and 46 vided. As shown of each blade are triangular in cross sectlon to loosely enter the similarly recessed sides of the packing pieces 45 and 46. These pieces fit in elongated notches formed in each blade above shoulders 47, being held therein by the latter and the side Walls of the piston. When subjected to the pressure of the gas in front of, or behind, the blade, the piece 45 will be forced against the wall 25 of the piston, and the piece 46 against the outer portion of the plate 20, to prevent leakage at those points. In other words, the pressure of the gas will force said pieces along the beveled edges of the blade, from their normal positions shown in Fig. 5, to their extended positions shown in Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 7, it will be observed that the outer periphery of the narrow wall 25 of the piston 15 is beveled on its inner side to r ceive a split ring 48 which is also triangular in cross section. On one side this ring faces the packing pieces 45, and when subjected to pressure, it has the same relative movement along the beveled edge of the wall 25 as they have along the beveled edges of the blades. However, while the packing pieces are only forced outwardly, the ring 48 will be forced upwardly and outwardly to seal any opening that may exist bfitjveen its respective sideof the piston and s e 1.

Again referring to Figs. 2 and 7, it will be observed that the outer interior edge of the plate 20 is notched to loosely receive a split rectangular ring 49 which extends a short distance into an annular notch formed in the flange portion 50 of the cylinder head \Vhen subjected to pressure, this ring will likewise be forced upwardly and out wardly to seal any opening that may exist between the plate 20 and the shell.

It will now be seen that the sliding movement of the packing pieces 45 and 46, induced by pressure, will prevent leakage past the blades, while the upward and outward movement of the piston rings 48 and 49, likewise induced by openings between the piston and the shell. To accomplish their purpose more effectually, the above named moving parts may be constructed wholly or in part of suitable packing material.

The operation of the engine is as follows: The explosive mixture, Which may consist of any suitable hydrocarbon fluid that has been properly carbureted, is admitted through the inlet port 34 into the passage 30 in the shell 1. As a gas pocket 36, 37, 38 or 39 passes this port, it, as well as the space between the passing blades 24, is filled with gas. These blades 24, which, as before stated, extend at all times to the inner surface 12 of the shell, sweep the admitted gas are pro- 1n Figs. 5 and 6, the sides pressure, will seal the' into the narrowing portion of the passage 30, where it is compressed.

To the gas in each pocket there is added that Which has been stored in the chamber 41 as before described. The reinforced charge in each pocket is ignited when the latter comes centrally below the spark plug 42, the resulting explosion sending the pocket and blade in front, through a cycle that could hardly be equaled in a reciprocating engine. Each of the pockets induces a separate explosion, making four for one revolution of the piston. However, more pockets and blades may be provided, or a less number employed, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

After each explosion, the spent gases are swept by the blades behind, into the outlet port 43.

While my improved device is designed primarily as an engine, it may, with but slight modification or alteration, be made to apply equally well to an air compressor or pump. In it gears, valves and accompanying parts are noticeably lacking. This insures economy of construction and maintenance, lessened noise and a saving in space.

I do not wish to be limited to the details of construction and arrangement herein shown and described, and any changes or alterations may be made therein within the S60 e of the subjoined claims.

IIaving described my invention, I claim:

1. In a rotary explosive engine, a cylinder comprising a hollow shell approximately elliptical in cross section, a rotor movable in said shell and adapted to slidingly engage the inner surface of the latter at 0ppositepoints in its minor axis, to provide a gas passage on each side thereof, a gas-inlet port communicating with one passage and a gas-outlet port with the other, a series of gas-receiving pockets formed in the periphery of said rotor, a gasigniting device communicating with the passage containing the gas-outlet port, radially-inovable blades spring-pressed in contact with the inner surface of the shell. between said pockets, and means communicating with the passage containing the gas-inlet port,. for reinforcing each charge of gas presented by a pocket to the gas-igniting device.

2. In a rotary explosive engine, a cylinder comprising a hollow shell approximately elliptical in cross section, a rotor movable in said shell and adapted to slidingly engage the inner surface of the latter at opposite points in its minor axis, to provide a gas passage on each side thereof, a gas-inlet port communicating with one passage and a gasoutlet port with the other, gas-receiving pockets formed in the periphery of said rotor, radially-n'iovable blades springpressed in contact with the inner surface of said shell, means in the exhaust passage radially-mp of the latter for igniting the gas carried by said pockets, and a chamber formed above the inlet passage of the shell, and in communication therewith, for delivering to each pocket a reinforcing charge of gas.

3. In a rotary explosive engine, a cylinder comprising a hollow shell approximately elliptical in cross section, a rotor movable in said shell and adapted to slidingly engage the inner surface of the latter at opposite points in its minor axis, a passage formed on each side of said axis, whose walls converge at each end thereof, a gas-inlet port communicating with the lower end of one passage and a reinforcing chamber with its upper end, a gas-outlet port communicating with the lower end of the other passage and gas-igniting means with the upper end thereof, a series .of gasreceiving pockets formed in the periphery of said rotor, and able blades carried by the latter, spring-pressed in contact with the inner surface of the shell, two of said blades being disposed between each pair of pockets to sweep gas into said reinforcing chamber, from which it escapes to the piston pockets to increase the charge therein.

I. In a rotary explosive engine, a cylindrical shell having a smooth inner surface approximately elliptical in cross section, an integral head on one side thereof and a removable head on the other, a shaft journaled in bearings provided in the central portions of said heads, a rotary piston keyed to said shaft Within the shell and adapted to slidingly engage the inner surface of the latter at opposite points in its minor axis, a series of gas-receiving pockets formed in the periphery of said piston, tending into the blades movable into and out of said grooves, springs mounted in recesses provided in said piston, to continuously press said blades against the inner surface of the shell, a gas passage formed between the piston and shell on each side of the latters minor axis, an in let port communicating with the-lower end of one passage and an outlet port with the lower end of the other passage, a gas storage chamber at the upper end of the inlet passage and a spark plug at the upper end of the other passage, said storage chamber receiving from the inlet passage gas which it later delivers to each piston pocket, to reinforce the charge therein for explosion by the spark plug.

In a rotary explosive engine, a cylindrical shell having a smooth inner surface approximately elliptical in cross section, an integral head on one side thereof and a removable head on the other, a shaft journaled in bearings provided in the central portions of said heads, a rotary piston keyed'to said shaft within the shell and having an outer rim adapatd to slidingly engage the inner ones extending radial grooves exlatter between said pockets,

surface of the latter at opposite points in its minor axis, an annular partition in said piston providing an annular cavity on each side thereof, radial grooves extending from the periphery of said piston to the outer cavity, grooves in alinement with said first named through said partition, blades movable in said corresponding grooves, springs mounted between said partition and abutments on said blades, to force the outer ends of the latter in continuous engagement with the inner surface of said shell, while the lower ends of said blades extend into the inner cavity of the piston, a gas passage formed between the piston and shell on each side of said minor axis, a gas-inlet port for one passage and a gas-outlet port for the other, a spark plug communicating 'With the outlet passage, and peripheral pockets formed in said piston into which gas is compressed by said blades, for explosion by said spark plu 6. Ina rotary explosive engine, a cylindrical shell having a smooth inner surface approximately elliptical in cross section, an integral head on one side thereof and a removable head on the other, a shaft jonrnaled in bearings provided in the central portions of said heads, a rotarypiston keyed to said shaft within the shell and having an outer rim adapted to slidingly" engage the inner surface of the latter at opposite points in its minor axis, an annular partition in said piston providing an annular cavity on each side thereof, radial grooves extending from the periphery to the outer cavity of said piston, grooves in alinement with said first named ones extending through said partition, blades movable in said corresponding grooves, each blade having the contour of a paddle whose lower end terminates in three leg sections, a spring surrounding each middle leg section, and extending from said partition into a peripheral recess formed in the piston rim, said recess being of sufficient size to permit said spring to press its respective blade against the inner surface of the cylinder shell, the leg sections of each blade extending below the spring, which bears against the said partition, into the inner cavity of the piston, a gas passage formed between the piston and shell on each side of said minor axis, a gas inlet port for one passage and a gas-outlet port for the other, a spark plug communieating with the outlet passage, and peripheral pockets formed in said piston into which gas is compressed by said springpressed blades, for explosion by the spark plug.

'7. In a rotary explosive engine, acylindrical shell having a smooth inner surface approximately elliptical in cross section, an

integral head on one side thereof anda removable head on the other, a shaft journaled in bearings providedln the central portions of said heads, a rotary piston bored from one side thereof to form a central core, to

, which said shaft is keyed, an annular partition formed above said core to provide a cavity on each side thereof, a circular rim for said piston whose periphery slidingly engages the inner surface of said shell at'opposite points in its minor .axis, a circular plate secured to the open side of said piston, radial grooves extendingfrom the periphery to the outer cavity of said piston, grooves in alinement with said first named grom'es extending through said partition, blades movable in said corresponding grooves, springs seated against said partition, adapted to press said blades into continuous engagement with the inner surface of said shell, a gas passage formed between the piston and shell on each side of said minor axis, a gas-inlet port at the lower end of one passage and a reinforcing chamber at its upper end, a gas-outlet port at the lower end of the other passage and a spark plug at the upper end thereof, the walls of the inlet passage converging from the major axis of the shell toward said reinforcing chamber, whereby gas may be swept therein by the radially movable blades, and peripheral pockets formed in said piston between the blades to receive gas from the inlet port and reinforcing chamber to conduct the same to the spark plug for ex plosion.

8. In a rotary explosive engine, a cylinder comprising a hollow shell, inclosing heads therefor, a rotor movable in said shell, radially movable piston members carried by said rotor, in continuous engagement with the inner surface of said shell, the side edges of said members being beveled, and packing pieces slidingly movable along the beveled side edges of said members, into engagement with the inclosing sides of the rotor, to prevent leakage between the latter and the piston members.

9. In a rotary explosive engine, 'a cylinder comprising a hollow shell approximately elliptical in cross section, inclosing heads therefor, a rotor movable in said shell, ra

dially movable piston blades carried by said rotor, resilient means for forcing said blades in continuous engagement with the inner surface of the shell, the side edges of said blades being beveled, and packing pieces slidingly movable along the beveled edges of said blades into contact with the sides of the rotor, to prevent leakage between the latter and the blades.

10. In a rotary explosive engine, a ylin der comprising a hollow shell approximately elliptical in cross section, inclosing heads therefor, a rotor movable in said shell, radially movable piston blades carried by said rotor, spring-pressed into engagement with the inner surface of the shell, the side edges of said blades beingtriangular in cross secsides adapted-to loosely receive the side edges of the blades, whereby, when subjected to pressure, they will be slidingly moved along the beveled edges of the latter into contact with the rotor sides, to prevent leakage between the latter and the blades.

11. In a rotary explosive engine, a cylinder comprising a hollow shell approximately elliptical in cross section, inclosing heads therefor, a rotor movable in said shell, radially movable piston blades carried by said rotor, the side edges of the blades being beveled, packing pieces adapted to be slidingly moved, by pressure, along the beveled edges of the blades, into engagement with the sides of the rotor, and split rings between the upper portions of said packing pieces and cy lind'rical shell to prevent leakage past the pieces, rotor side and that sideof the shell which is closed by the removable head, to seal openings through which the explosive mixture might escape.

13. In a rotary explosive engine, a cylinder comprising a hollow shell approximatelyelliptical in cross-section, an integral'and a removable head therefor, radially movable blades carried by said rotor, spring-pressed against the inner surface of the shell,- elongated notches provided in the sides of said blades, elongated packing pieces loosely fitted in said notches, and having grooved side edges adapted to loosely receive the side edges of the blades, which are triangular in cross section, a spht rlng, also triangular 1n cross sec tion, disposed between the packingpieces,

the rotor wall and integral-head side of the shell, and a split ring, rectangular in cross section, disposed between the packing pieces, rotor side and side of the shell whlch is closed by the removable head, to seal openings through which the explosive mixture might escape.

14. In a rotary explosive engine, a cylin der comprising a hollow shell approximately elliptical in cross section, an'integral and a removable head therefor, a rotor movable in said shell, said rotor beingbored out from one side thereof to provide two annular cavities therein, radially movable blades extend ing through grooves in the'rotor i-nto said annular cavities, springs mounted 1n the rotor for pressing said blades in continuous engagement with the inner surface of the shell, a circular plate closing the open side of said rotor, elongated notches provided in the sides of said blades. elongated packing pieces inovahly fitted in said notches, and having grooved side edges adapted to loosely receive the side edges of the blades, which are triangular in cross section, a split ring also triangular in cross section, disposed between the packing pieces, the integral rotorside and the shell, and a split ring, rectangular in cross section, disposed between the packing pieces, rotor plate and shell, to seal openings through which the explosive 15 mixture might escape.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of November, 1915. MAX C. \VHITMORE. Witnesses:

HOWARD S. SMITH, ERNEST T. HUSTON. 

